Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 52, 19 July 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

I'vum cur Resident Reporter.

PINAFORE."

AN EXCELLENT PRODUCTION.

Gorgeous costuming, sprightly music,, capital choruses, brilliant stage effects, excellent vocal solos, and a well de- . veloped vein of humor—these were the outstanding features last night of the • production of "11.M.5. Pinafore," or "The Lass that loved a Sailor/' by the Stratford Operatic Society, and the ap- ! plause was loud, long, and hearty. The jmembers of the caste are all deserving ' of the highest praise for the manner in which they acquitted themselves, and if at times there was a little stillness noticeable, this was certainly excusable when all the oth#r fine features were taken into account. From first to last the opera went with a swing. It is a pretty composition, and a popular one, the rollicking nature of the choruses hitting the popular taste, whilst the music is clever and full of volume. The orchestral work in the present production cannot be too highly praised, every number being splendidly played. The overture was a particularly fine effort, the attack crisp, and the harmony unusually good for an amateur combination, and the balance was excellent. The conductor, Mr. T. G. Grubb, certainly deserved the hearty plaudits that followed its conclusion. The story of "H.M.S. Pinafore" is well-known. It opens at noonday on the quarter-deck of the British man-o'-war, and here the whole of the acting is done, by day or by night. In the distance can be seen Portsmouth, with its forts and wharves. The coming on board of the Admiral, with the accompanying salutes of guits, • J and the ladies' chorus from the barge, J''Over the bright blue sea," was one of the most effective scenes in the whole evening, and the chorus was delightfully rendered. The choruses as a whole were well given, the opening "We sail the ocean blue" giving an earnest of good things to come. "Shall we submit" was ' cleverly rendered, too. Perhaps the best chorus, of the evening dealt with the "Customary attitude" in the latter part of the first act, but it was rivalled, or nearly so, by the moonlight chorus "Carefully on tiptoe walking," whilst the finale "Oh joy, Oh rapture unforeseen'' left little to be desired. As "Josephine," Mrs. W. A. Ilennell acquitted herself well, her acting being most natural. Her duet with "Ralph Raekstraw," "Refrain, audacious tar," | was a capital effort, and so was her solo, | "The hours creep 011 apace." • Mrs.* Geo. I Bond filled the role of "Little Buttercup," and seemed never to disassociate herself from the character. Mrs. Bond sang all her numbers most successfully., her introductory solo, "For I'm called Little Buttercup," being given with all expression and vivacity. Her voice, suited well the duet with the Captain, "Things are seldom what they seem." The part could hardly have been placed in better hands. As "Hebe," Sir Joseph's first cousin, Miss G.- Black was quite at home, and acted and sang well. As the pompous Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph-: Porter, K.C.8., Mr. N. F. Dunlop had just the necessary voice and physique,, and lie gave a very capable rendering of his lines, and as the piece .progressed he warmed up well to his work. The role of the Admiral is not an- easy one, and Mr. Dunlop's conception of the part was good. He made good use of his fine voice in his opening song, "When I \yas a lad I served a term," and. tlie accompanying chorus was well timed and tuned. "Captain Corcoran" was placed in the capable hands of Mr. W. Lander.' . His work included a good share of,vocal work, aijd in every item he was distinctly good. "I am the Captain of the Pinafore" was sung with the necessary conscious pride, whilst in the duets he also scored heavily. His "make-up" when the shuffling of fate's card reduced him to the rank of an ordinary i "jack tar" was screamingly funny. • His finest effort was in his duet with ••J)ick Deadeye" <(Mr. F. Wilkie), and this was I perhaps the best- item of the night.: :Mrc J Wilkie was "immense," making the best I use of his every opporturiitv, and -his -j drollery evoked roars of laughter. His I work would have done credit to pro- « fessional boards. As "Ralph Raekstraw" Mr. E. W. Lewis fared well. His pleasing tenor voice was alone sufficient to make him a favorite, and his lovesick ballad "A maiden fair to see'' was excellent. The duet "Refrain" with. Josephine was.one of his-best, .but he ■was also a tower of strength to' the quartette and octette. Mr. W. St. Cato as "Bill Bobstay," sang i; I am an Englishman," and good work by the other numbers of the <"aste, Master Menzies a* the middy, Mr. C. Liddington as "Bob Beckett," and Messrs; ~T.-and S. James as marines, was also necessary to the success of the piece. A pleasing quartette was "Oh joy, joy," by ; Mrs. Rennell, Miss Black. Messrs. Lewis and: Wilkie, and a fine octette,-"Farewell, my own," was sung by Mrs. Reimell, Mrs. Bond, Miss Black, Messrs. Lewis. Cato. Liddington, Dunlop, and Wilkie. Tlie last-najned. danced the inevitable liotnpipe and -the way lie kicked his toes about was a treat. Too much credit can hardly be given to Captain F. IT. Lampen as stage manager, or to Mr.' Geo. Bond for the excellence : of the stage effects. The moonlight scene J was extremely pretty, the lights peeping through the windows ashore, the dancing Waves,, and shimmer of moonlight overall making, a picture with which • the audience was enraptured. : The costuming of .the piece* was? really > superb. The costumes used by the Dan---nevirke Society in their performance before Lord Islington were used, and. the wrardrqbe .added -to locally. .The dresses w*orn the. ladies were a feature, of tie costuming, and too much • praise, can hardly be . written of t)io- manner inwhich the .opera was staged throughout. ■The piece is to be staged again tonight, and the booking indicates, another, full house.. From the., hearty Applause' aiid subsequent expressions of &ppri>yal 1 of the night performance, .the society seems likely to have ajuple support to-night, despite the wretched wea-' tier. For a good evening's ■..;enter:taiiinient "Pinafore" is recommended. •'

■; A WHANGAMOMONA NECESSITY.

Ail who know the trials and troubles of the waybaek .settlors, and. the urgent necessity for a resident medical' maij in the Whangamomona district, will regret to hear that the arrangements in progress to secure a man have failed at the last moment, the terms not being sufficiently tempting to induce the doctor to take up his residence in the baekblocks. Another medico has the matter under consideration, and the result of his investigations will be awaited with some anxiety. CARDS. | The following will represent the Eg- | mont Club in a euchre match against the I Druids Lodge in the club's room 011 Monday evening next:— ,T. Masters, W. L. Reeve. S. Ward. J. Butcher, A. Woodhead, T. D. Sullivan, T. Sullivan, 11. Wilson. ,T. McMahon, C. and A. Speck, G. Iledditch. 0. D. Sole, T. Lawson, J. ITar6ton. T. B. Colson, H. Masters, G. W. Mills, C. Jackson. P. W. Wilson, E. Brocklebank, I!. Harkness, and T. Wilson. Ngaere beat Stratford at eribbage by 57 to 48. J Stratford and Ngaere have played J twice, eacli winning a match. Stratford •and Denbigh road are ill the same fix.

The play-off matches will be ingA card association is likely to bo formed {shortly to arrange a round of fixtures for the card teams. COMMERCIAL. T. LAMASON'S REPORT. Mr. T. Lamason reports:—Last Saturday I held by usual weekly sale, when a very large entry of poultry, vegetables, and furniture was submitted for sale. I quote as follow^: —Hens, Is 3d to 2s; pullets, 2s 6d to 3b 3d; cockerels, 1« 6d to 2s; roosters, 3s 6d; ducks, 2s Gd to 3s 6d; cauliflowers, 2s 4d to 3s 3d; potatoes, 13s; carrots, 3s; chaff, 2s Od; furniture, etc., at usual auction rates,

PERSONAL. Dr. 0. Evans, who is enjoying a short rest at his old home, will probably launch out for himself in one of the Main Trunk railway townships. BERNARD'S PICTURES. The re-opening of His Majesty's Theatre was greeted with wretched weather, but picture patrons turned out loyally and enjoyed the magnificent series of pictures screened. In the present series, which runs to-night and to-mor-row night, and at Saturday's matinee, the American Bio. Co. are represented with a powerful domestic drama, "The Root of Evil," an intensely dramatic photo-play, featuring the "Biograph Baby." Closely following this fine production is the S. and A. romance, "The Outlaw Deputy," and Selig's sensational Western story, "The Bully of Bingo Gulch." The world's latest news is illustrated per medium of Pathe's Australian Animated News and the London Gazette. "Vintage in Burgundy" is an interesting industrial picture, with fine scenic effects. The comic, section is headed by a Vitagraph comedy, "Capti Barnacle's Messmates" and "The Elevator Romance," a Tannhauser screamer. Lieut. Rose, R.N., and the Moorish Raiders" provides some excellent cinematography. The theatre-going public have acquired quite a taste for films in which the "Lieutenant" figures, and his latest escapade is brimful of exciting incident. The plot involves the besieging of the British Residency, and the timely rescue of the besieged by a squad of Bluejackets. Added realism is lent to the picture by a view of the shelling of a Moorish stronghold by a British cruiser.